News Release

Wednesday, January 2, 2002

Sunland: On Tuesday, January 1, 2002, at approximately 11:20 p.m., a woman was killed and two others were injured when an unlicensed driver, who is suspected of being under the influence of narcotics, allegedly ran a red light and broadsided their vehicle at the intersection of Sunland Avenue and Glenoaks Boulevard.

Pronounced dead at the scene, 21 year-old Burbank resident Melissa Perez was a passenger in a compact car that was being driven eastbound on Glenoaks Boulevard by her mother, while her critically injured infant son was tucked into a child care seat in the back seat. The 22-month old child was transported to Children’s Hospital where he was on a respirator and listed in critical condition. The unidentified driver was transported to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center where she was expected to survive her injuries.

The vehicle that hit them, was being driven northbound on Sunland Avenue by 33 year-old Troy Shaw of Van Nuys. Shaw was arrested at the scene and booked for Criminal Vehicular Manslaughter. Officers responding to the collision scene verified that Shaw is currently on parole and was an unlicensed driver. An unidentified female passenger in Shaw’s vehicle was taken to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center for treatment and released.

Anyone with further information can contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division, at 818-756-8391. On weekends and during off-hours, call a 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.